Concerns about artificial caramel coloringmovie popcorn, and calories in fast food are now raising another red flag. this one is about cola — or more specifically the coloring in it. randall pinkston reports. cola is one of the most popular sodas in the country. tons of people drink it but the center for science in the public interest has a warning that might kill your craving. it says the chemicals in the artificial caramel coloring can cause cancer and is calling for a government ban. sot michael jacobson/executive director, center for science in the public interest unfortunately at least two of them cause cancer in laboratory animals and we have to assume that they cause in humans as well according to the center the caramel color becomes dangerous when it’s mixed with ammonia and sulfites at high temperatures. which is how colas are made. the food coloring doesn’t actually affect the taste of the soda.. it’s purely cosmetic.